Launch Failure

Liftoff Time (GMT)

01:10:00

Saturday December 19, 1981

Mission Details

Launch Notes

Three coolant holes were accidentally plugged, resulting in an engine overheating four seconds after launch. The RSO destroyed the rocket after pitched out of control.

GPS-7

Wiki

The GPS (Global Positioning System) or Navstar (Navigation System using Timing And ranging) were the first generation satellites of the GPS navigation system. The first two satellites were also called NDS (Navigational Development Satellite). The Block I satellites were positioned in the same orbital planes as the later Block II, but at an inclination angle of 63 degrees. Block I consisted of the original concept validation satellites and reflect various stages of system development. Lessons learned from the 11 satellites were incorporated into later generations.

Medium Earth Orbit

1 Payload

759 kilograms

Rocket

Retired
Atlas-E/F SGS-1

Active 1977 to 1981


Stages

3

Launch Site

SLC-3E

Vandenberg SFB, California, USA

Fastest Turnaround

32 days 16 hours

Stats

Atlas-SGS


8th

Mission

1st

Mission of 1981

1981


123rd

Orbital launch attempt